There is nothing more frustrating than trying to crack on with a DIY job around the home but being restricted by holes that need drilling or screws that need fastening at an angle or location that is just impossible to get to! If you are anything like us, then many an hour will have been wasted in trying to contort your body (or your power drill!) into random positions to help you reach those hard to access points in the corner of a room or round the back of furniture! If this sounds familiar – and we’re betting it does – then you need to look at purchasing an angle drill.
An angle drill (otherwise known as a right-angled drill) is designed specifically to allow access to those hard to reach places, by swapping up the design of the drill. The angle drill is designed with a longer handle but a short driving section which is angled (hence the name!) at 90°. All of these design features work together to make it miles easier to access these hard to reach places, whilst still maintaining the power and force that is needed to complete the job!
If this sounds like the kind of tool that you need to get the job done then keep reading for our Buyers Guide on Angle Drills so that you can find the best angle drill on the market at the moment and start reaping the benefits of this fantastically handy tool!
Best Pick – Bosch GWB Cordless Angle Drill
- Extremely versatile thanks to 5 head position settings: 0°/22.5°/45°/67.5°/90°
- Very compact: shortest (only 11 cm) adjustable head with 10-mm Auto-Lock chuck
- High speed of 0-1300 rpm for fast work progress – ideal for drilling holes
- Motor brake for precise work when driving rows of screws
- Practical battery charge level indicator with 3 LEDs
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Only Got 5 Minutes
If you already know how handy an angle drill is, and understand how desperately you need one – then this part of the article will get you ready to make your purchase, and quickly! We have compiled all of the main pieces of information that you need to consider when buying the best angle drill, so that you can be sure you are buying the right one for the job!
Angle Drill Features
There are some main features that we feel you need to consider before purchasing an angle drill. You will be surprised by how regularly you are going to need your angle drill – once you have one it will become one of your most regularly used tools, so you need to make sure that it is right for the job!
Size
Many angle drills are of similar size, purely because of the job that they are having to complete. Make sure to opt for a model that is going to be compact enough to allow you to get the job done, but equally not so compact that you are compromising on torque or battery life!
Drill Head
We would always recommend opting for a keyless chuck on any drill. They just make it so much easier to change the bits that you are working with, so that you can work quickly and efficiently. Not only this, but it saves the worry of losing the key whilst you are working!
Some angle drills will come with an adjustable head to make your drilling jobs even easier! The ability to adjust the head of the drill into multiple fixed positions whilst you are working will allow you to access different locations but also ensure that you are always drilling your screws straight into the material that you are working with, allowing for more secure and also a neater finish in the job that you are completing.
Torque
The torque of your drill is the amount of power exerted on the screw that you are working with. This varies considerably in angle drills from as little as 100lbs, all the way up to 300lbs and more.
Not only do you need to consider the amount of torque your angle drill will be able to offer, but also the torque settings that are available. If you are working with a softer piece of wood, or a smaller screw, then you aren’t going to want to use your maximum torque settings as this could damage the materials! It is important to opt for an angle drill with multiple torque settings so that you can adjust the tool to the job that you are completing. This will allow you to achieve a professional finish every time – and avoid any screws from becoming rounded or materials from being split! Some angle drills have upwards of 12 torque settings, which is more than enough to allow for flexibility in the jobs that you will be completing.
Speed
The torque provided by your angle drill is important, but it is also important to consider the speed that is offered by your drill. Some offer upwards of 2000 rotations per minute which greatly reduces the amount of time it will take you to get the job done! We found the lowest RPM on angle drills was around 500, which although not a snail’s pace, this type of tool is going to be best for smaller, less frequent jobs.
TOP TIP: Angle drills that have variable speeds options will allow you to work more efficiently and precisely, varying the speed for the job that you are completing.
Power
Angle drills will usually be powered by a battery pack, although some models are corded. We would personally, always recommend opting for a battery powered model, as this will allow you increased flexibility in the locations that you can work and the jobs that you can complete! Not only this, but if you then need to use your angle drill for work on your car or completing other outdoor jobs then you won’t need to worry! Battery powered models are best if they are powered by a lithium-ion battery, as these will charge quicker and last longer! Some batteries will last upwards of 4 hours so plenty of time for any jobs that you may be completing! Make sure to check that the battery comes with the angle drill that you are looking to purchase, as if it doesn’t then this will significantly add to your overall costs.
TOP TIP: Look out for models that come with two batteries – this way when one battery dies and need recharging, you will be able to carry on working with the other battery!
However, there are some benefits to the corded models if you know that you are always going to be working close to a power source. They will usually offer more power and higher speed levels than the battery powered models. Plus, you don’t have to worry about them running out of charge if you are completing particularly long jobs. Not only this, but many are designed with very long cables, so although you need to be attached to the mains electricity at all times, you do still have a considerable amount of flexibility in the places that you can work. We also found that most corded models have an “impact drill” option, adding to the flexibility in the types of jobs that you will be able to complete.
Weight
The weight of your angle drill is important because (as we have mentioned!) you are going to be working in some more usual positions and locations with this drill. A heavier drill will make this more difficult and often lead to fatigue – particularly as you may be stuck using just one hand! We found that the weight of angle drills varies quite considerably between 4lbs all the way up to 20lbs. It is worth bearing in mind that corded models will usually weigh less for a similar amount of power as they are not having to carry the weight of the battery as well.
Remember to not just opt for the lightest model that you find, as some of these are made out of cheap plastics that will not be able to offer the strength and durability of other tools on the market.
Best Budget – Ryobi RAD1801M ONE+ Angle Drill
- 180° rotating base for easier access
- Reverse action
- Electric safety brake
- Electronic variable speed
- Dual material, non-slip, anti-vibration handle
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Additional Angle Drill Features
There are some additional features that will take your angle drill from an average, reasonably useful tool, to your new best friend and that tool that you cannot do without! Those features, as far as we are concerned, take a useful angle drill and turn it into the best angle drill on the market at the moment! Keep reading for some of those features we think you should be looking out for.
- Lighting – Many of those harder to reach places will also be darker than the areas that you are used to working in, as by their very nature, the purpose of an angle drill is to get into the confined and often dark places. Therefore opting for a model that has LED lights either on the handle or the head of the drill will make it easier to see the area that you are working.
- Angle Drill Kits – There are many angle drill kits available on the market which are perfect for if you are starting out with your power tool purchases. These will include different drill bits, often two batteries, battery charger and a carry case (plus the main drill of course). These are great to allow you to get started on the job at hand immediately!
- Reverse switch – it would be rare to find an angle drill that doesn’t come with a reverse switch – as these are perfect for when you are wanting to remove old fastenings or start again if one has gone in on an angle! Look for a reverse switch that is easy to reach when working and quick to switch between.
- Multi-grip trigger – Some angle drills are so well designed that they have easy to use triggers that can be pushed in different positions, this is SO important when purchasing an angle drill as you can never be sure what angle and position you are going to be working at!
- Comfort grip and ergonomic design – If you are going to be working for any decent amount of time then you are going to want an angle drill that is designed with comfort in mind. Many use rubber to reduce fatigue whilst working.
- Battery charge indicator – Models that come with battery indicator lights are fantastic additions, as this saves you ever having the frustration of running out of battery when you are halfway through a job!
- Belt hook – Any DIY job that requires an angle drill is often going to involve using a standard power drill as well! If this is the case then a belt hook will really come in handy and make it much easier to swap between tools whilst you are working – saving you time and effort!
- Bit holder – Some angle drills are designed with bit holders included in the base of the machine! This is a fantastic idea as it means that all of your bits will be handy and ready to use whilst you are working, reducing the amount of time it takes to get the job done. Not just this, but you don’t need to worry about the bits going missing whilst you are working.
Best of the Rest
- Multi-Position Handle Switch
- Ideal Product
- Electronic clutch with indicator light for complete control
- English (Publication Language)
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- Maximum Capacity in steel 10mm
- Maximum Capacity in wood 25mm
- Head height 93mm
- Keyless chuck
- Large trigger
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- ♣ Affordable Design: Allows you to reach tight areas without the hassle of drilling. Angled extension for greater accessibility to drive screws and drill holes in tight spaces. Bullet Point
- ♣ 1/4 Hex Shaft: 1/4 "(6.35mm) magnetic hexagonal shank interface fits most drills, spindles and torque wrenches and can tighten without general tools. Bullet Point
- ♣ 105° Angled: 105 ° angle rail, can turn right and left, you can manually rotate screwdriver can also be used in the drill, a greater effort especially for the small operating environment.
- ♣ PREMIUM QUALITY: Made of qualified chrome vanadium alloy steel, light angle tips, high hardness, anti-corrosion and durable die-cast construction for a long service life. Bullet Point
- ♣ Smooth rotation: The bearings allow smooth rotation and the head, once fixed the axis on the head of the screwdriver, can be rotated according to the most comfortable working position.
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Frequently Asked Questions
What warranty will I get with an angle drill?
Warranties for angle drills vary depending on the manufacturer, however many of the better products will offer between a 3 and a 5 year warranty. It is worth checking what this warranty covers, as many products will have one warranty for the main drill and another (often shorter) warranty for the batteries.
What is the difference between an angle attachment and an angle drill?
An angle attachment can be added to the standard power drill that you are working with, to adjust the angle that you can drill at. These are fantastic attachments but will only be able to work at certain angles and on specific power drills. Not only this, but the attachment adds to the size of the drill so will limit the spaces in which it can actually be used. They are great for the odd job that you might be completing but if you know that you are going to be working in these conditions regularly then a specifically designed angle drill is definitely the way to go!
What power batteries will work with an angle drill?
This really depends on the angle drill that you choose to purchase and the jobs that you are going to complete! There are compatible batteries that will run at 10V, 12V and 18V. We would suggest that 12V is the perfect middle ground for most jobs that you will be completing around the home.
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